The impressive showing of Louth senior footballers in the 2007 All-Ireland Qualifiers meant there was a large degree of optimism in the squad and among the supporters heading into the 2008 campaign. By Eunan Whyte. The Wee County were hoping to challenge for honours in the new Division 3 which had a very competitive look about it despite it being the third tier of football in the country, while the Leinster Championship draw saw Eamon McEneaney's men land a mouth-watering tie against Dublin in Croke Park. Although the focus was clear from the outset, Louth were unable to make a serious challenge in the league and their success was measured in terms of avoiding the drop to Division 4. The Leinster Championship brought about a heavy defeat to a rampant Dublin, while progress in the Qualifiers was halted in the first round at the hands of Tyrone. Although there was a small crumb of consolation in the fact that Tyrone went on to win the All-Ireland and Dublin captured a fourth successive Leinster crown, Louth midfielder, Ronan Carroll, admits that it was overall a very disappointing year. However, he doesn't believe that form on the field of play this year is a true reflection of Louth's current abilities and as a result he reveals that the whole squad is looking forward to the new season and setting the record straight. "After some good showings in the All-Ireland Qualifiers in 2007 we felt that we would be able to push on this year. There was a lot of optimism after the Cork game in which things went very well for the first three quarters, but in the final quarter we let ourselves down. In the end it was a bit disappointing because we all believed that if we came through that game we could have gone even further. "Nonetheless, we started this year hoping to build on those displays and make a challenge in both the league and the championship. Unfortunately, we were unable to do that and it ended up a very disappointing year", said Ronan. The games against Dublin and Tyrone were particularly difficult for the players and while Ronan admits it is hard to pinpoint why they didn't produce their best form on those days, he is aware that it highlights the need to work hard and improve. "The Dublin and Tyrone games were hard lessons for us and underline the fact that we have to be more competitive and raise the level of our game. Perhaps the belief wasn't there when it came to those matches and it is essential to believe in yourself when it comes to those games. "In the game against Dublin, despite not playing at our best, we were still very much in contention after 40 minutes and were unlucky not to get a goal in the first half. However, they got the break in the second half with the goal and once Dublin go ahead in Croke Park it is very difficult to compete with them. "After being drawn with Tyrone in the Qualifiers, we were hoping to repeat the performance of 2006 and felt we had a chance of winning. In the end we couldn't match them but they went on to prove just how good a team they are. "It was very disappointing because we feel that as a squad we are so much better than that. We showed in many challenge games that we have the ability to match most teams while playing some good football, but the key is to produce that form on the big occasions." In order to achieve a greater consistency in their play, the Ardee St Mary's clubman, feels that Louth must be competitive in the Division 3 and believes that the first objective this year will be to challenge for league honours. "I don't think the gap between a lot of teams is a massive one and if you look at the teams we played in the league this year, it was a very competitive section. We had the likes of Down, who beat Tyrone in the Ulster Championship, along with Fermanagh who reached the Ulster Final, and Wexford who made it to the All-Ireland semi-final. Then there was Limerick who impressed in the Qualifiers, while Sligo were reigning Connacht Champions. "We had a difficult opening game away to Limerick where we lost narrowly, while we felt that we should have beaten Down and Fermanagh, only to lose by a point on both occasions. We didn't have our full team against Wexford and although we had nothing to play for in that game, we still felt we had chance a chance to win before the eventually came out on top. "However, we are still a relatively young team and are building for the future, but we showed with the performance against Longford just what we are capable of when we get it right", explained Ronan. The midfielder believes that if Louth are to be successful in 2009 they have to give their all in every game and a good league campaign is essential in preparing for the Leinster Championship. "I think we have give 100% from the outset, starting with the O'Byrne Cup. Hopefully we can work on a few things in the competition and then be ready to build on that in the league. "You have to set a goal to win all the games in the league and looking at our section this year, there is no reason why we should fear anyone. It would be great to see ourselves at least in a league final as that would give us a great boost for the championship against Carlow. "When you look at the draw, I think we are in the more favourable half and if we went into it with good league form, we would be optimistic of making progress. "Despite the disappointments this year, we still have great belief in ourselves and feel we have the ability and the players to get into the top ten in the country and perhaps an All-Ireland Quarter-Final place. "That is what you have to aim for and we look at the likes of Wexford and Fermanagh to inspire us as they have made the breakthrough and we firmly believe that we are on a similar level to them." Louth chances of success will be significantly improved if the Ardee man can produce his best form on an consistent basis and Ronan admits that he is raring to go again next year. He is optimistic that as well as Louth impressing, he can continue to make progress with his own game, and at just 23 years of age he hopes to become one of the mainstays over the team over the coming years. "I felt that last year I got a more consistent run in the team thanks to fewer injuries and that as a result my game improved. I worked on some of the weaknesses in my game and I hope to raise up another level this year. Although I seem to have been around for a while, I am still only 23 so hopefully I have a few good years ahead of me." Tweet

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